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Hi

I spoke with Dr. Esselstyn a few months or so ago because I was losing a considerable amount of weight on this diet. He assured me that I would not disappear and offered just the right amount of sound advice and humor to relieve my fears. Since that time, though, I have continued to lose weight and in February got a physical to follow up on how well this diet has been treating me (5 months into the diet, at that time). Since my last exam some five years ago, all numbers (Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Blood Sugar, Cholesterol, etc.) had improved substantially, however, two of them changed negatively - testosterone and thyroid. I wish I had had my blood tested immediately before starting this diet, but I didn’t – the only numbers I can compare my current numbers to are from June 2007.

In June, 2007, my TSH was 1.246 and my Testosterone, Serum was 424.

My lab results from my physical in February revealed that my Testosterone had dropped to 293 [Free Testosterone (Direct), while unmeasured previously, was now being reported at 4.1]. My TSH levels came in at 3.730. My follow up visit with an endocrinologist last week reported my TSH level at 4.070, and just yesterday, my latest Testosterone numbers came in and now put me at 260. I spoke to my doctor again Friday and he’s pushing me to start taking Testosterone (Testim) and also consider taking thyroid medication.

What I’m really confused by is that for someone who is border-line hypothyroid, I don’t understand how I could be continuing to lose weight. As of last week, I now weigh in at only 132 pounds, and I am 6’1” and 42 years old - 34 pounds lost since starting this diet. And trust me, I eat A LOT – some days so much that my stomach hurts! For example, today I have had 2 tablespoons of Flaxseed Meal, 1 B-12 tablet, 3 cups of Quinoa mixed with 1 cup Kale, and 1 cup of beans for breakfast, 5 ½ cups of a hearty cruciferous vegetable soup which includes 1 ½ cups of whole grain brown rice for lunch, and 1 ½ quarts of a Rice & Black beans salad for dinner (featured in his book). I also ate 5 pieces of fruit (2 apples, 1 orange and 2 bananas), a calorie dense energy bar from Vega (250 calories), 3 cups of popcorn, 1 serving of Mary’s Gone Crackers Twigs & Sticks. That’s fairly representative of a typical day for me, but some days I also add a slice of Banana Nut Bread (also featured in his book).

I totally believe in this diet, and despite the problems I am having from low testosterone and borderline under-performing thyroid, I am otherwise in a much better place than I was before starting this diet. However, I am eager to know what is going on and what could be causing this type of resposne in me. In fact, as of Sunday afternoon, I have also now cut out gluten in the off-chance that I may be gluten-intolerant/sensitive which may be causing a malabsorption of nutrients. It seems to make sense considering I have found no volume of food which will trigger a weight gain in me.

I don’t want to "treat the symptoms" and simply give in to taking testosterone and thyroid prescription medication without first understanding what may be causing me to respond this way.

What, if any, recommendations do you have for me?

COMMENTS
At 67, I am much older than you, but I can share your experience in one way. I am 6 feet tall; at the moment, I weigh about 135 pounds, but in the past my weight dropped to as low as 119. I became alarmed at that point. I began adding avocados and fruit juice to bring my weight back up. It worked.

I am now and have been all along fully functional. l have continued to walk about five miles per day, do light weight lifting, and climb stairs while going in and out of my apartment.

Like you, I have a huge appetite. I eat six or more cups of food per meal, though nothing between meals (except an occasional fourth meal). For particular medical reasons, I am eating a subset of the McDougall Regular program diet: http://anti-itisdiet.blogspot.com/2010/ ... i-eat.html

TWO QUESTIONS
What exercise are you getting?

Have you tried adding higher fat foods such as nuts and avocados?

I don't have any experience with or knowledge of the other subjects you raise. Others can comment. (I suggest asking in the general forums, where others with more technical knowledge or experience can answer.)

It sounds like we do a much in common, though, I've never fallen that low in weight. This is certainly the lowest I have been, to date, as an adult. I will check out the link you provided.

As for exercise, I've only somewhat recently started. For the past 2 or 3 months, I have been walking with a coworker 3 - 5 days a week for approximately 20 minutes each time. I also like to follow the exercise program documented in the Engine2Diet book, but am not as consistent with it as I'd like to be. Mostly, because I'm generally too tired to do them, and when I do decide to do them, it wears me out. I'm sure that will improve in time, though.

I do eat a fair amount of avocado's (as guacamole) every other week or so. I also like to eat a huge helping of garlicky kale salad (made with tahini) 1 - 3+ times a week (sometimes, when I have it readily on hand, I eat it daily). Walnuts; probably 2 - 3 times per week. And I like to eat a tablespoon or two of natural peanut butter most evenings with a banana. All in all, I cannot possibly resist my daily cravings for Mary's Gone Crackers Twigs & Sticks, which aren't really high in fat, but do contain something like 5 - 7 grams of fat per serving. Due to the sodium content, I tend to keep my serving size to just 1 (and sometimes 2) per day.

Thanks for the posting tip. Is it safe to post the contents of my original message there?

I don't know why you ask about safety. What threat do you fear?

When you say "there," to which forum are you referring? I would recommend the Lounge, for the widest exposure.

Best wishes for solving difficult problems.

I don't have a specific fear, but I didn't want to violate any rules about posting/double-posting, so I wanted to make sure it was, rather, "OK" to post the original message in yet another forum.

Regarding "there" - when you suggested that I ask in the "general forums", I assumed, at the time, that that was a specific forum - thanks for clarifying.

I appreciate your feedback and will follow up on your recommendation.

Thanks for the 'best wishes'!

Now I understand. Normally double-posting would be poor etiquette, I think, but I don't know that there is any prohibition in the McDougall Forums against doing so.

Double-posting would be advisable, I would think, if you are posting in the Star McDougaller's forum (where non SMs are the only ones allowed to post), but where you suspect that non-SMs might have specialized knowledge not shared by SMs.

Star McDougallers are SMs only because they have successfully completed some major health change through adopting the McDougall program and, at Dr. McDougall's invitation, have been willing to publicly state it, with their names behind it. They need not have any particular technical expertise. I certainly don't!

I apologize for the delay; I have been completely side tracked since my last response. In fact, I just concluded my first consultation with a Naturopathic Physician and she genuinely intrigued me. So much so that I'm going to hold off on reposting until I complete my follow up visit with her next week.

Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.